This and That and Talk - My Transplant

Hi Rosemary,I also use Neutrogena (Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 55.  Also, my foundation has some light sunscreen.  The sunscreen is really fast absorbing and doesn't run.  I live in Florida so the fast absorbing is very important. I do wear short sleeves and a light long sleeve blouses as a cover and Capri pants or slacks.  There are sun reflecting shirts/hats that you can buy at Sports Stores or I guess online.  Skin cancer is a problem for all transplants so it is an important battle.

@eileenheart Thanks for joining the conversation and giving us a first-hand review of the product! Teresa

A comment bout sunscreen. I have not had a transplant yet but I'm trying to learn what to expect before and following. I've been noting the sunscreen lessons, especially since I'm fair skinned, burn easily and freckled. Interestingly, I just received in the mail a catalog I have not received in years. I highly recommend you go to http://www.Solumbra.com to find clothing that is 100+ SPF. The clothing is very expensive but when we are talking about our avoiding skin cancer maybe some things should go on our birthday and Christmas lists. If anything I would take a peek at their hats, most which pack flat, and rash guards and leggings to swim in so you can enjoy the water in safety. I can't emphasize enough that it is very expensive but I also think we are all worth the splurge, for our own safety.

@lcamino, Thank you for sharing this information.
You are right, sun protective clothing can be very expensive. I look for the clearance sales and end of season items. I have a collection of long sleeved t-shirts that I like for casual and for hiking. Mine are breathable and moisture wicking, and actually comfortable.
After transplant, we have to take the antirejection medications to prevent organ rejection by reducing our immune system. That makes us susceptible to other things. You will learn that prevention and early detection, and perhaps treatment, are the best defense.
Rosemary

@lcamino Thanks, the clothes there are a bit pricey as you said, for sure. I have bought rash guards for sun protection SPF 50. I got one at Lands End and one at Speedo. I really like some of the tops on the Solumbra site though, I looked at "casual". The ones I have purchased are good for in the water too which is important to me.
JK

@contentandwell What sort of "water clothes" are you referring to? I'm sure you are referring to something other than a swim suit. Teresa

@hopeful33250 Teresa, the site that was recommended by lcamino, Solumbra (http://www.sunprecautions.com/) has clothing like tops that can be worn when out in the sun for regular usage, like some nice, cool looking tops. I have some "rash guards" (not sure why they call them that) that are generally worn over your bathing suit for sun protection. As I mentioned those are available at Lands End, Speedo, Talbots and various other merchandisers. In my water class, inside of course this being New England, some of the women wear them because they find the pool to be a bit chilly. I figure once they are wet they can't help much but I may be wrong. I had one rash guard before that I occasionally wore but this year I will need to be even more careful so I bought two more.
JK

@contentandwell thanks, I'll look into those websites. While I've never had a transplant, I have very fair-skin and look for good ways to protect it from sun. I also get rashes from the chlorine in the pool, I go to a very nice 24/7 health club that always looks very clean, so it must be the chlorinated water that gets to me. Have you found any help for that? Thanks, Teresa

@hopeful33250 Teresa, it sounds like your health club may be similar to mine, The Executive Health and Sports Club in Manchester -- they are constantly cleaning and checking the water in the hot tubs and the pools. The main thing I do now, because I have never gotten a rash but I did itch, is to go right into the showers and soap up in there. It helps. One day I waited until I got home and showered here and my hands still smelled of chlorine after it!

Regarding the websites, I have not bought a rash guard at Talbot's but most or my wardrobe comes from there. Get on their email list to be notified when they have sales because I NEVER buy when things are not on sale. I don't often buy from Speedo, but Lands End has good bathing suits and they too run sales a lot. I think both of those sites are running sales right now.
JK

@contentandwell - Leggings (one with a skirt) and rash guards. I personally am intrigued by the leggings because they would avoid sunscreen on the legs. The drawback I see is that they are black and I know from past experience with a black rash guard that they are very hot. After typing that It should not be a problem if you are in the shade or under an umbrella most of the time but you could swim in an outdoor pool, lake, or ocean without worries (100 SPF). I have gotten the worst burns while swimming even when using sunscreen.